Wesleyan University vs. Emerson

Wesleyan University and Emerson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Wesleyan University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wesleyan University (16.5% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wesleyan University. Average net price is $23,025 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Wesleyan University 92% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wesleyan University $58,000 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Wesleyan University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Wesleyan University more selective
Wesleyan University16.5%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wesleyan University higher
Wesleyan University1415-1540
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Wesleyan University $30,407 less
Wesleyan University$23,025
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $13,286 less
Wesleyan University$70,342
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $13,286 less
Wesleyan University$70,342
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Wesleyan University +11 pts
Wesleyan University92%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wesleyan University +$8,800
Wesleyan University$58,000
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • Wesleyan University 1415-1540
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • Wesleyan University 33-35
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,011 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wesleyan University are 5% lower than at Emerson College ($19,872 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Wesleyan University than at Emerson College (about $13,286 more per year; $70,342 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Wesleyan University (77% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 144.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($65,995 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Wesleyan University than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wesleyan University and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($180 vs. $242).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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